Welcome to Godsplaining: Each week Dominican friars tackle the questions that keep you up at night—faith, doubt, culture, philosophy, theology, and real life. Expect clear Catholic answers, big ideas, and conversations that spark “aha” moments without (too much) jargon. Whether you’re a cradle Catholic who loves Thomas Aquinas or just curious, pull up a chair and think deeper with us. New episodes every Thursday—subscribe now.
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Is it okay to be sad as a Christian? If we have faith in God, shouldn't we always be joyful?
In this episode of Godsplaining, Fr. Gregory and Fr. Joseph-Anthony explore the relationship between sadness, Christian joy, and holiness. Drawing on the wisdom of St. Thomas Aquinas, they discuss why sadness isn't necessarily a bad thing, how to respond to sorrow, and why experiencing difficult emotions doesn't make you a bad Christian.
From grief and disappointment to persistent sadness, the friars offer practical and spiritual insights on finding peace through friendship, patience, prayer, and the presence of Christ.
C.S. Lewis Warned Us About This | The Abolition of Man Explained
Episode 78
Thursday, October 15, 2026 • Duration 34:43
What happens when a society abandons objective moral truth? C.S. Lewis warned that the consequences could be far greater than we imagine.
In The Abolition of Man, C.S. Lewis argues that when we reduce morality to personal feelings and treat human nature as something we can reshape at will, we risk losing the very qualities that make us human.
In this episode of Godsplaining, Fr. Patrick and Fr. Bonaventure unpack Lewis’ influential work and explore its implications for modern education, moral relativism, natural law, and human freedom.
What books or films do films would you like the friars to unpack next? Tell us in the comments.
Jonathan Pageau: We've Forgotten the Meaning of Sacrifice
Episode 77
Monday, October 12, 2026 • Duration 30:49
What if the secret to a meaningful life isn't getting everything you want, but learning what you're willing to sacrifice?
In this episode of Guestsplaining, Fr. Gregory welcomes Jonathan Pageau, artist, symbolic thinker, and creator of The Symbolic World, for a conversation about sacrifice, modern storytelling, and the Christian understanding of happiness.
Why does modern culture struggle to understand sacrifice? What can Spider-Man, Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey, and the multiverse teach us about vulnerability, freedom, and the longing for home? And why does Christianity insist that self-giving, rather than self-fulfillment, is the path to a meaningful life?
Tune in to hear them explore the symbolism of sacrifice in contemporary cinema, the limits of endless possibilities, and how accepting the particular circumstances of our lives can lead us toward God.
What do Barbie, Lady Bird, and Little Women have in common? And what can Greta Gerwig's films tell us about her upcoming adaptation of C.S. Lewis's The Chronicles of Narnia?
In this episode of Godsplaining, Fr. Patrick and Fr. Gregory explore the work of filmmaker Greta Gerwig through a Catholic lens, examining the surprising ways her films reveal truths about identity, love, relationships, and the human condition.
From the search for belonging in Lady Bird to the complexities of womanhood in Little Women and the encounter with reality in Barbie, the friars discuss Gerwig's ability to portray life with honesty, curiosity, and an appreciation for its beautiful messiness.
They also explore the role of faith and Catholic education in Lady Bird, the recurring theme of homecoming in Gerwig's storytelling, and what her approach to character development might bring to the world of Narnia.
Enjoy 15% off your purchase from the Catholic Woodworker this October and November with code: GODSPLAINING
Join Fr. Gregory and Fr. Joseph-Anthony in Pittsburgh, PA this November for a Day of Recollection! Learn more and register here: https://godsplaining.org/thy-will-be-done-a-day-of-recollection-in-pittsburgh-pa/
Are we beginning to treat people more like things?
In this episode of Godsplaining, Fr. Bonaventure and Joseph-Anthony explore the thought of Jewish philosopher Martin Buber and his influential work I and Thou. Buber argues that we encounter the world through two fundamental relationships: “I–It,” in which we experience and use things, and “I–Thou,” in which we encounter another person in genuine relationship.
What happens when the world of “It” begins to take over? The friars discuss Buber’s concern about the growing tendency to reduce people to their usefulness, why love requires freedom and choice, and how our relationship with God reveals a radically different way of encountering reality.
The Truth About Judgment, Hell & the Second Coming with Dr. Ralph Martin
Episode 75
Monday, September 28, 2026 • Duration 32:06
What does the Catholic Church actually teach about the final judgment and why do we hear so little about it?
Fr. Gregory welcomes theologian, author, and President of Renewal Ministries Dr. Ralph Martin back to Godsplaining for a conversation about his book The Coming Judgment. Together, they explore the Second Coming, the reality of hell, salvation, repentance, Scripture, discernment, and what it means to live with genuine Christian hope.
Dr. Martin explains why Christians should neither obsess over predicting the end times nor ignore Christ’s warnings about judgment. Instead, Catholics are called to remain close to Jesus, take His words seriously, and live in preparation for the day when each of us will stand before Him.
The conversation also examines why recovering confidence in Sacred Scripture matters, how daily prayer helps us recognize the voice of God, why judgment can actually be a source of hope, and the danger of creating a version of Jesus who simply confirms what we already want to believe.
Martial arts can cultivate discipline, courage, strength, and preparedness—but what happens when fighting becomes entertainment?
In this episode of Godsplaining, Fr. Gregory and Fr. Joseph-Anthony wrestle with the morality of combat sports, including MMA and boxing. Is there a legitimate place for violence and aggression in the Christian life? How are self-defense and martial arts different from fighting for spectacle? And should Christians be concerned about entertainment built around watching one person physically harm another?
The friars discuss virtue, courage, self-defense, the history of combat sports, the discipline found in martial arts, and the potential physical and spiritual dangers of turning violence into entertainment.
Is watching UFC or MMA morally different from watching other sports? When does athletic competition become blood sport? And what does our attraction to violent spectacle do to us as viewers? Listen to the episode to hear what the friars have to say, then let us know what you think in the comments.
Brideshead Revisited: The Catholic Novel Everyone Should Read
Episode 71
Thursday, September 17, 2026 • Duration 33:27
Why has Brideshead Revisited endured as one of the great Catholic novels?
Fr. Patrick and Fr. Bonaventure dive into Evelyn Waugh’s masterpiece and its unforgettable exploration of grace, conversion, sin, beauty, Catholic culture, and God’s relentless pursuit of the human heart.
From Charles Ryder’s encounter with the Flyte family to Sebastian’s struggles, Julia’s conversion, and Lord Marchmain’s powerful final moments, Brideshead Revisited portrays a God who continues to draw His children back to Himself, even when they resist Him.
The friars discuss their favorite characters and scenes, the novel’s depiction of Catholic life, and what Waugh’s famous “twitch upon the thread” reveals about the mysterious workings of grace.
Attn: Young Adults! Join Fr. Gregory and Fr. Patrick for the annual Dominican Rosary Pilgrimage Young Adult Vigil on Friday, Sept. 25th from 6-9pm. This is a free event for young adults. Register here:
What Catholics Get Wrong About Divine Mercy with Fr. Chris Alar, MIC
Episode 72
Monday, September 14, 2026 • Duration 33:50
What does Divine Mercy really mean, and why is it so central to the Christian life?
Fr. Chris Alar, MIC, joins Fr. Gregory to unpack the message of Divine Mercy, the extraordinary life of St. Faustina, and the profound connection between God’s mercy and the sacraments.
Fr. Alar is a priest of the Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception and serves as provincial superior for the congregation’s province. A prominent teacher and evangelist of the Divine Mercy message, he is also the author of Understanding Divine Mercy and Understanding the Sacraments.
In this episode, Fr. Alar explains why Divine Mercy goes to the very heart of the Gospel message. He and Fr. Gregory discuss what it means to call mercy God’s “greatest attribute,” the relationship between the Sacred Heart and Divine Mercy, and the rich symbolism contained in the Divine Mercy image. They also explore some of St. Faustina’s extraordinary experiences, the authority Christ entrusted to priests in the Sacrament of Confession, and the remarkable promise associated with Divine Mercy Sunday.
Can any sin be greater than God’s mercy? What’s the difference between trusting in mercy and presuming upon it? And what does Jesus desire to accomplish in us through Divine Mercy?
Tune into the full conversation to find out and let us know your questions on Divine Mercy in the comments below.
Learn more about the Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception: https://marian.org/
Attn: Young Adults! Join Fr. Gregory and Fr. Patrick for the annual Dominican Rosary Pilgrimage Young Adult Vigil on Friday, Sept. 25th from 6-9pm. This is a free event for young adults. Register:
Do You Need Therapy, Prayer, or Both?
Episode 70
Thursday, September 10, 2026 • Duration 38:29
How should Catholics think about mental health? Is anxiety or depression primarily a psychological issue, a spiritual struggle—or can it be both?
In this episode of Godsplaining, Fr. Gregory and Fr. Bonaventure discuss the relationship between faith, therapy, psychology, and mental health. They explore why psychological struggles are real without defining the whole person, when it may be appropriate to seek professional help, the role of spiritual direction and Christian community, and why psychological and spiritual health should be integrated rather than confused.
They also consider a difficult reality: sometimes healing doesn't happen in the way we hope. What does the Christian life look like when a struggle must be managed rather than completely resolved?
To learn more about the Province of St. Joseph visit: www.opeast.org
To support the Province of St. Joseph visit: www.dominicanfriars.org
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